Metal-shearing machine.



C. D, MCDGNMD.

MUAL SHE/imm Mmmm.

APILKCATION FILED MAY E8; $914.

n PUGHG. June 1, 1915.

SHEETS-SHEET C. D. MCDONALD.

METAL SHEARING MACHINE.

APPLICATIGN min MAY18.|914.

Patented June 1, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

C. D. MCDONALD. METAL SHEARING MACHINE. APPLICATION msu unis. 1914.

Patent-ed J une 1, 1915c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES D. MUDONALD, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 MGDONALD MACHINE CO., 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

METAL-SHEARING MACHINE.

Application led May 18, 1914.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLs D. MODON- ALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal- Shearing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The. present invention relates to a imachine adapted to cut strips of sheet metal in a certain manner and of predetermined dimensions for the purpose of forming metal blanks or strips.

One of the objects of the present invention is to rarrange a series of stop or centering members to accurately and positively center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for feeding the work into position to be acted upon b the shearing mechanism to produce an initial cutting operation which will be in the nature of a trimming cut and to arrange means for centering the work prior to the trimming cut which centering means will be inactive after this trimming operation and to provide other means for centering the work prior to the subsequent or blank producing cutting operation.

A further object of the invention is to con- ,struct the members which form the center- `.ing means whereby they can be adjusted in conformity to the size of the blank being .35 cut.

A further object of the inventionis to provide means for releasing the centering means from engagement with the work, which release will be in synchrony with the movement ofthe cross head or. other member carrying the `shearing or cutting die.

A further ,object of the invention is to utilize a shearing or cutting die which will trim the sides of the work at the same time that the transverse cut is made across the work.

A further object of the invention is to provide suitable receptacles or depositories for the cut blanks.

A fui-ther object of the invention is to provide guide rails arranged in conver 'ng relation with iesifpect to one another an approaching closest to one another adjacent the die whereby ,a binding of ,the work dur- 35 ing the feeding movement is eliminated.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1915.

Serial No. 839,408.

A further object of the invention is to provide the inner ends of these guide rails with a hardened metal insert so that they will withstand the action of the edges of the strips passing along. 50

The invention further consists in the feav tures of construction and combinations ci parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure l is a plan view of a machine embodying the mechanism of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3' is a longitudinal section of said machine; Fig. 4 is a detailed plan view of the rear end of the machine showing the cutting or shearing dies; Fi 5 is a detail showing the position of the middle of the rear centering members prior to the feeding of the Work; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the position assumed by said middle centering member when the work has been fed forward; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the position of said middle centering member just after the completion of the initial or trimming cut; Fig. 8 is a 80 detail showing the outer of the rear centering members which operate to center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism upon the feeding movements subsequent to the `initial feedinmovement; Fig. 9 is 85 a detail'showing the germ of blank produced by the shearing operation and showing how said blanksare subsequently cut by the die presses to produce the articles desired; and Fig. 10 is a sectional detail of the friction 90 connection between the shearing mechanism gud the middle of the rear centering memers.

The present invention relates to the art of producing blanks of sheet metal for use in connection with die resses. It has been found necessary to con gure such blanks in a certain manner in oider to eliminate, as far as possible, the remaining of any substantial amount of material after the die press has operated upon the saine. These blanks must necessarily be of accurate dimensions or else they will not properly feed in the die presses or register with the dies and the dies wouldnot properly form the articles desired from the blanks. It has, therefore, been found necessary to arrange a certain positive means for centering the work with respect to the cutting mechanism of these shearing machines, in order to eic'iciitlu' a l unfairly produce the lilanls, it having been i-teriuiiuid .in practice that the action of ai; ordinary feed iii-ir is not sutlicies'ztly accurate to properly produce these bla rs owing to the element ot lost motion which oi necessity enters into the operation et' an ordinary torni ot' reciprocating feed harx Referring now to the drawings, and par* fii w15.v to lfig. the mechanisn'i is mounted open a "ease uieinl'ier oi support l0 of any suitable construction and arrangement, and the said mechanism proper consists of a table ll shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3, and at the rear of this table are formed upright guides .12 in which operates a reciprocating cutting or shearing mechanism. The shear ing mechanism can be actuated by any suitable means well known to the art and detailed descr-iptionl or illustration of such nnfans are not deemed necessary in this instance. The. cutting` or shearing mechanism consists ot' the usual .sliding block 13 carrying at its lower end a cutting member 14.

Secured to the uppu surface of the table 11 are companion guide rails 15 betteiI illustratcd in rig. 1. These rails. as shown, are adjustable in and out with respect to the center ol the table` and as also shown, are arranged to converge toward one another from the front to the rear thereof, so that they are in closest relation to one another at the rear end which is adjacent the cutting die,

A block 1G of hard metal is inserted at the rear end of cach rail and this block is the portion ol the guide which in reality performs thc operation ol' guiding ihc work to the .shi-tiring mechanism. 'l`l1eicason for the conrergim relation oi these guide rails is as follows: it is ooi-sible that in initially placing thc work on the table the same may ric arranged in an obliquo pi'isition. lt the guide rails are parallel this will result in a bindingr oli, the work throughout the length ol the guide rails and an interference with the propr-r l'ocilingf ol the work lo the shcaring nnwhginisin. lli. liowm'ir. the i'lllfll l'lilS are, .sprl-ail apart at their forward end and are conlractcd to the popcr position al'. their rear cial. llie work can lze ted up tothe. point ol contraction ol' f-aiil rails evi-n it in an oblique position wilhoiit a binding against thc guide .rails` rulliricnt space to accommodate ihc work when so gmrszitioned heilig al When tr: rear cnil is reached thc work u ill then engage the hard metal blocks and he properly posiioncd with rfa-peet to the Ylicaring nii-chauiiuu and the necessary movement to turn it into correct |iosition is rewzililv allowo'l owing' to thcy play which the rear cual oi' the 'wolk is capable of with respect to the guide rails. Thus; by this arrari, 'i Yr 4en/.l easv movement ot' the "mired,

The work is delivered onto the upper surface of the table 11 by means of companion endless members 16 which in thc construction shown are in the Yl'orm ot' link belts. These belts or chains travel over suitable sprockets 17 and 1T and the rear sprockets 17a are mounted upon a shaft 18 which is driven by a belt ll), driven by a pulley 20, attached to the main power shaftI 21. These chains or belts 16 are each provided with a finger ln the construction shown only one. of these fingers is employed, although it is obvious that one or more may be employed depending upon the length of the work being fed.

These endless members deposit the work upon a table in position where they may be acted upon by the fingers .3 of a reciprocating feed bar This feed bar is actuated by a suitable link or lever connection 2J driven by means ot a slotted disk 26 on the power shaft 21. The method of driving this feed bar will be clearly understood by re` ferring to Fig. 2 of the drawings. The first of the lingers 2? is indicated, tor the sake of clcarness, by the numeral Q7, and this linger engages the rear edge of the work and initially advances it toward the shearingr mechanism.

As previously explained, it is essential in the operation of these machines to provide means for accurately centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism and to effect such centering I have in the construction shown provided what may bc termed rear centering` means and forward centering means. The forward centering means are composed of a series oit pivotod lingers 28, and in the construction shown they are arranged in two sets of 4each,and the correslionding lingers of cach set are alincd. Each of these lingers are alike in construction and arrangement and each is mounted upon a plate Q9, which plate is capable of adjustment along the slot of a slotted bar 30, one bar for each set of fingers so that the fingers may be adjusted with respect to the shearing mechanism and with respect to cach other. These hars 3() are carried by a cross bar 31 (see Fig, l) whereby the bars 3 are suspended above the surface of the table to allow the work to pass beneath. lt might be stated that in the construction shown two feed bars are employed, one adjacent each set of fingers.

Each of the fingers 2S is so arranged as to fall into a downward position through the action of gravity and each plate 29 carries a pin 32 which limits the downward movement of the `forward end of these fingers. The other portion of the centering mechanism, or the rea r centering mechanism, consists in the construction shown of two parts, one of which ma)lv be termed a centering means for the initial or trimming out, and

llt

the other of which may be termed the centering means for the subsequent or blank producing cuts, but both of said rear centering mechanisms are alike in that they have the same broad characteristic, namely, that they are swinging members which are capable of swinging away from the shearing mechanism when engaged by the work and of forcing the work backward against the front centerin means' after the release of the feed bars rom the work.

Referring now to the particular form of mechanism employedy as a rear centering means for the initial or trimming cut` of the work this consists of a pivoted arm or lever 33 (see Figs. 3, 5, 6, and 7) which lever is mounted to swing upon a suitable pin or bearing 34. The upper portion of the lever has connected thereto a coil spring 35, the other end of which spring is affixed to a pin 36 carried by a Iframe or mounting 37 connected to an angle plate or bar 38 secured in turn to the body of the machine.

By referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the frame 37 is positioned approximately centrally ofy the machine. A finger-like member 39 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the lever 33 and terminates in an acting face 40 and connected to the member 39 is a slotted plate ,or bar 41, in the slot of-which travels a pin 42 connected to a lng or block 43 which in turn is joined to the cross head 13. As shown in Fig. 10 this pin 42 has fixedly mounted thereon outer and Ainner washers 4 and mounted upon the pin and interposed between the outer of the washers and a head or nut 44 is a coil spring 45, which maintains the outer washer 43*l by a spring tension against the side of f the slotted bar 41.

As the bar 41 rises with the cross head the spring action upon the washer 43 will be suflicient to carry the bar 41 and pin 42 in unison until the finger 39 strikes the upper Wall'of a recess 46 in a bar 47 fixedly attached to the angle bar 38. This construction is shown in Figs. 3 and 5 to 7 inelusive. When this contact is brought about, movement of the finger 39 is arrested, and thereafter the pin 42 will slide in thc slot of the bar 41 and travel upward with the cross head without imparting further movement to the bar 41. As the cross head starts down for the initial portion of the movement the pin 42 and bar 41 will travel in unison owing to the frictional engagement therebetween. But after the lever end of the acting face of the finger 39 has struck the top of the block 48 downward movement of the finger 39 will be arrested and thereafter the pin 42 will travel downward in the slot of the bar 41 without imparting movement to said bar. There is thus brought about a lost motion connection between this finger 39 and the sliding head 31 of the die member, so that the finger 39 Vis operated only at the initial upward and initial downward movement of the cross head.

I will now describe the entire operation of the initial or trimming cut. The work is fed forward through the instrumentality of the feed fingers 23 of the feed bar 24 until it has passed beyond the rst of the fingers 28, the work will be forced forward by the feed bar a greater distance than is required, and such movement will force rearwardly the finger 39 of the rear centering means by reason of contact of the work therewith and place this finger under a spring tension by reason of moving the lever or arm 33 and stretching the spring 35, then as the feed bar retracts and disengages'from the work the work will be forced by said spring tension back into position where its rear edge` engages with the front face of the rear' of the fingers 28 that is it will be placed in the position shown in Fig; 3, the cutter then descends and cuts off-that portion of the work which is projecting beyond the same.

Just as the cutting operation is completed, a threaded stem 49 on the member 43 engages with an arm 50 extending from the lever 33 forcing the'lower end o f said lever back and retracting the finger 39 from engagement with the edge of the work, and the severed or trimmed edge of the work falls into the space 51 between the body of the machine and the holder or receptacle 52, the function of which holder will be more clearly hereinafter explained. The above arrangement will be fully seen by referring to Fig. 2. From the foregoing description it will be seen the finger 39 and the first of the fingers 28 a centering means is provided which accurately centers the work with respect to the cutting dies irrespective of the particular throw of the feed bar.

Lying to each side of the finger 39 are` fingers 53, each of which is mounted on a. support 54 as shown in Fig. 8 which support is in turn connectedl t0 the angle iron 38. The fingers or outer centering members 53 each consist of a lever 55 pivloted at {')6` and connected to each lever-'is 'a'coil spr nl 57. These centering members 53 are to renter the work with respect to the die upon each feeding movement of the work after the initial or trimming cut has been made. Assuming now that said initial cut has been made, the work is advanced by operation of the feed bar beyond the second of the fingers 28 designated by the numeral 28 in Fig. 3 of thedrawings, and such movement by the feed har forces back the centering members 53 a short distance placing them under a spring tension then when the feeding bar retracts and releases from the work the work is forced back against the fingers 28' and so that by a coperation between members 53 can be adjusted in b lanks of proper thel forward stop so made that ment even if the work tlie work with r'esl'iect to is centered with respect to the shearing mechanism. The die then descends and ablank Vis formed. After the cutting operation a contact in the form of a threaded 5 stem 55) engages with an arm C() on each of thel members 53 and forccssaid members backward and out of engagement with the edge of the blank allowing the severed blank to fall into the receptacle 52.

As will` be seen from Figs. l and 4 there are one ot' these centering members 53 on each side of the finger 39 and there is of course one threaded stem 59 for each centering member. `The supports54 for these and out from the center of the machine as will be understood from referring to F ig. 1. The work is thus fed forward ina step by step manner until the entire sheet o't'` work is severed into dimension. The dimension ot' thc blank an, of course, rearranging the position of the on the feed bar, which fingers with respect to said bar,

feed fingers are adjustable and b y rearranging lingers 28. L

y The last. ot the blanks to be formed slides down a piate (50 adjacent the cutting die and into a receptacle 6l therefor. After the initial cutting or trimming operation the 3o nager 35) will thereafter lie upon the top of the sheet of metal as it.is fed forward and will have no further effect as to centering, its sole function relating to the centering of the blank for the trimming cut. The die is as it cuts across the sheet of metal it also cuts for a distance down the sides ot the sheets of metal thus trimming the sides of the blank in the necessary manner to permit the proper and ready feeding 40 of the same into the die press.

liv referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the levers 55, which are the outer rear cen` tering members, are positioned to the inside of the sets of fingers 2S, By this arrangeshould bear stronger against oney of the rear centering members 55 than the other the work would nevertheless be forced back against both of the fingers 28, and would thus be properly alined, whereas iithe centering member f5 were to the outside of' the lingers Q8 a stronger pressure on one side than the other would tend to twist the work into an oblique position.

I claim: 1. ln a machine of the class described, the v combination of shearing mechanism, means for advancing the work into position to be acted upon by the shearing mechanism, said uieins'aeting in they first instance to position the shearing mechthereof and acting y'anisi'n to trim an edge fuion' each subsequent terminedu'ividth is formed and the same .65; shearing 'mechanism acting to produce both be varied byy the mountings toward IIlOVemenl) t0 pOSition thework whereby a blank of pred@ forming cuts, subdescribed, the

for centering th., work with respect to the i shearing mechanism prior t0 each shearing operation, substantially as described.

ln a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for advancing the work into position to be operated on by the shearing mechanism, means for centering the work with respect ,to the shearing mechanism comprising shiftable means arranged beyond the shearing mechanism and shiftable means arranged in front of the shearing mechanism, and means for adjusting the position of the front shiftable means, substantially as described.

4. In a machine oi' the class described, the

combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work into posit-ion to be acted upon by the shearing mechanism, means for centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism comprising tension influenced means beyond the shearing mechanism and cooperating means in front of the shearing mechanism, said latter means comprising gravity actuated fingers, a mounting for said fingers, and means for adjusting and from the shearlng mechanism, substantially as described.

5. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for advancing the Work into position to be operated upon by the shearing mechanism, means for centering the Work with respect to the shearing mechanism comprising shiftable means. 'arranged beyond the shearing `mechanism-fand a series of fingers arranged v in front of the shearing mechanism, a plate beyond the shearing mechanism coperating with the front centering means to center the work with respect to the shearing \means prior to the trimming cut, and means located beyond the shearing means cooperating with the front centering means for centering the work with respect to the shearing means prior to each subsequent blank-producing cut, substantially as described.

7. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of shearing mechanism, means.

for feeding the work intol position to be acted upon by the shearing mechanism, said shearing mechanism acting to first produce a trimming cut and subsequentlv to produce blanks of predetermined width, means for centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism, comprising means located in front of the shearing mechanism and cooperating ineans located to .the rear of the shearing mechanism, a portion of said rear centering means acting to center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to the trimming cut and the remainder of said rear centering means actuating to center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to each subsequent blank forming cut, substantially as described.l n

8. ln a device of the class described the combination ofl shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work into position to be acted upon by the shearing mechanism, said .shearing mechanism acting to first produce a trimming cut and, subsequently to produce blanks of a predetermined width, means located in front of the shearing mechanism for centering the work with respect to said mechanism, centrally disposed means to the rear of the shearing mechanism coperating with the forward means to ceiter the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to the trimming cut, and means cooperating with the forward centering means for centering the work with respect to the shearing means prior to each blank producing cut consisting of companion members located on each side of the centrally disposed member, substantially as described.

9. l/i a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work into position to be acted upon by the shearing mechanism, said shearing mechanism acting first to produce a trimming cut and subsequently to produce blanks of a predetermined width, means for centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to the trimming cut consisting of a finger located beyond the shearing means, a mounting for said finger to permit it a horizontal and vertical movement, said work engaging said finger when initially fed forward and moving said finger rearwardly, means for placing a spring ten- .sion on said finger when so moved, said tenfrom engagement with the work after the trimming cut has been produced, and means for returning thefinger to normal position, substantially as descrlbed.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work into position to be acted upon by the shearing'mechanism, said shearing mechanism acting to first produce a trimming cut, means located to the rear of the shearing mechanism, and cooperating means located to the front of the shearing mechanism for centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to the trimming cut, sai rearwardl disposed centering means comprising a mger, a pivoted lever to which the finger is pivotally attached, said finger being forced rearwardly by contact of the work, means for placing a spring tension on the work when so moved, said tension acting to force the work toward the front of the machine and into engagement .with the forward centering 'gneans when the feed mechanism disengages from the work, means for lowering the finger into position to be engaged by the work whenthe shearing mechanism is lowered, means for raising said finger when the shearing mechanism is raised, and means for forcing the finger rearwardly and out of engagement with the work after the trimming cut is produced, and means for centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to each blank roducing operation of the shearing mec anism, substantially as described.

1l. In a machine of the class described, the combination of sheairing mechanism, means for feeding the work into position to be acted upon by said mechanism, said shearing mechanism acting initially to produce a trimming cut, means for centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to said shearing eut embodying means arranged in front of the cutting mechanism, and coperating means arranged to the rear thereof, said rearwardly means comprising a vertically' extending pivoted lever, a spring connected to'said 1ever, a finger pivotally connected to said lever and va connection between said finger and the cross head of the shearing mechanism whereby said finger is raised and lowered in conformity with the operation of said cross head, substantially as described.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearingv mechanism, means for feeding the work into position to be acted upon by said mechanism, said shearing mechanism acting initially to produce a trimming eut, means for centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to said shearing cut, embodying means arranged in front of the shearing mechanism, and coperating means arranged to the rear thereof, said rearward means comprising a vertically extending pivoted lever, a spring connected to said lever, a finger pivotally connected to said lever, a connection between said finger and the cross head of the shearing mechanism whereby said linger is raised and lowered in conformity with the operation of said cross head, and means located to the rear of said shearing mechanism and cooperating with said forward centering means to center the work prior to each blank-producing operation, substantially described.

13. In amachine of the class described, the combination hof shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work into position to be acted upon bysaid shearing mechanism, the initial operation of anism producing a trimming cut, means located in front o the shearing mechanism cooperating with means located to the rear of the shearing mechanism for centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to the trimming cut, said rearwardly located means embodying a pivoted vertically extending lever, tension means connected to said lever, a finger pivoted to Said lever, a slotted bar connected to Said linger, a lost motion connection between said slotted bar and the shearing mechanism whereby said finger is raised on the initial upward movement of the shearing mechanism and lowered upon the initial downward movement of said shearing mechanism, and means for moving the finger away from the work a fter the completion of the shearing eut, substantially as described.

14. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work into position to be acted upon by said shearing mrchanisni, said shearing mechanism acting at the initial opcration to produce a trimming cut, means located to the front ol the shearing mechanism, and coprrating meansv located to the rear oll the shearing mechanism lol centering the work .vitlrrcspwl. to the shearing mechanism prior to said trimming rut, said rearwardly located meansr "omprising i v/rtically extending pivotcd lcx'rr` a lingrr attached to said lever. a spring attached to said lever, a vertically dcpcndino' statimmiv bar having a slotV therein through which said linger extends, said slot being oi" greater width than the width olv the tingcr, a conVr onction between said hn'lfr and the 'fhcan ing mechanism whereby said linger i5 iaised said shearing mechl5. In a machine of the classadcscribed, i

the combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work into position to be acted upon by the shearing mechanism, said shearing mechanism acting on the initial operation to produce a trimming eut and acting upon subsequent operations to produce a blank of predetermined width, means located in front of the shearing mechanism, and eoperating means centrally disposed of the machine and to the rear of the shearing mechanism for centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to the trimming cut, and members to the rear of the shearing mechanism disposed to each side of the machine and cooperating with the front members to center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to the blank producing cuts,

said side disposed rear members consisting of vertically extending pivoted arms arranged to be engaged by the work and forced rearwardly and tension mechanism for placing a tension on said arm when the same are forced rearwardly, substantially as described.

16. 1n a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work into position to be acted upon by the shearing mechanism, said shearing mechanism acting on the initial operation to produce a trimming cut and acting upon subsequent operations to produce a blank of predetermined width, means located in front of the shearing mechanism, and eopcrating means centrally disposed of the machine and to the rear ot' the shearing mechanism for centering the Work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior -to the trimn'iing cut, and members to the rear of the shearing mechanism and disposed to each side ot the mechanism coperating with the front members to center the worli with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to thi blank producing cuts, said side disposed rear members consisting oi' pivoted arms arranged to be engaged by the work and forced rearwardly. tension mechanism for placing a tension on :mid arms when the slme are l'orccd rearwardly, and means for adjusting said side disposed rear centering members. toward and Vtrom the center o'l" the machine.

i7. ln a machine ol the class described, the combination ol shearing mechanism, means t'or 'feeding the workY into position to be acted upon by the shearing mechanism, said shearing mechanism acting on the anderel initial operation to produce a trimming cnt and acting upon subsequent operations te produce a blank of predetermined Widtln means located in front of the shearing mechanism, and coperating means centraily disposed of the machine and to the rear of the shearing mechanism vfor centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to the trimming cut, and members to the rear of the shearing mechanism. and disposed to each side of the machine and cooperating with the front members to center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to the blank producing cuts, said side disposedV rear members consisting of pivoted arms arranged to be engaged by the work, means for placing a tension on said arms when the saine are forced rearwardly, means for adjusting said side disposed rear centering members toward and from the center of the machine, and means carried by the shearing mechanism for releasing said rearward centering member from engagement with the Work Lft-er the cutting operation, substantially as described.

i8. ln a machine of the class described,

the combination of shearing mechanism,

means 'for feci-'ling 1the work into position t0 be acted upon by the shearing mechanism, said shearing mechanism initially acting t0 produce a trimming cut and subsequently acting to produce blanks of predetermined Width, means for centering the Work with respect to the shearing mechanism prior to each shearing operation, a plurality of receptacles for receiving the cut blanks and one of said receptacles being located beyond the shearing mechanism spaced away from the machine a distance to form a discharge may for the material cut by the trimming operation, substantially as described.

CHARLES D. MCDONALD. Witnesses C. B. McDoNALD, CiiAsL E. EAvns. 

